Inside the Numbers: Preakness Stakes

Photos by Eclipse Sportswire unless otherwise noted.

The second leg of the Triple Crown series, fans come into the Preakness Stakes full of hope that there will be a Triple Crown contender when the Kentucky Derby winner leaves Pimlico Racecourse. Of the 33 horses to leave the Preakness with a chance at the Triple Crown, only 11 have went on to win the series. But what are some other interesting facts about the second leg of the Triple Crown? America’s Best Racing gives you some numbers you can impress friends with in the lead up to the race.

1 3/16 miles – The distance of the Preakness since 1925.

1:53 – The fastest time recorded in the Preakness, by Secretariat in 1973.

2 – The number of Grammy Awards won in 2013 (Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance) by Lorde, who will headline the 2014 Preakness InfieldFest concert.

3- The number of female jockeys to ride in the Preakness:  Patricia Cooksey, who finished 6th in 1985 aboard Tajawa; Andrea Seefeldt, who finished 7th in 1994 aboard Looming; and Rosie Napranik, who finished 3rd in 2013 aboard Mylute.

4 – Number of Preakness winners bred in California: Snow Chief in 1986, Candy Spots in 1963, Kalitan in 1917, and Old England in 1902

7 – The number of geldings who have won the Preakness.

8 – The number of Maryland-bred horses to win the Preakness, the state’s signature race.

11- Occasions where the Preakness was run prior to the Kentucky Derby.

11 ½ - The largest winning margin in the Preakness, by Smarty Jones in 2004.

16 – The number of Preakness winners who started from post position No. 6.

27 – Since 1911, when pari-mutuel wagering made its appearance at Pimlico, the number of Preakness favorites who have started at odds of less than even money (17 went on to win the Preakness).

33 – The number of horses who have been eligible to win the Triple Crown following the Preakness.  Only 11 have gone on to win the Belmont Stakes and complete the Triple Crown feat.

$48.80 – The top payoff on a $2 bet in the Preakness.  Master Derby won the 1975 Preakness at 23-1 odds.

53 – The number of fillies who have competed in the Preakness, with five crossing the line first.

70 – The number of favorites who have won the Preakness.

72 – The number of bay Preakness winners.  Chestnut is the next popular coat, representing 46 winners.

95 – Number of Preakness winners bred in Kentucky

$2,050 – The purse for the 1873 Preakness.

$1,500,000 – The purse for the 2014 Preakness.

117,203 – The 2013 attendance at the Preakness.

$63,230,573 – The record amount wagered on the Preakness, set in 2005.